Updates

Multiple Sclerosis Clinic

Nationally recognized care for children with multiple sclerosis and related conditions

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disorder involving the immune system and central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves. At Texas Children’s Hospital, our specialists have the expertise your child needs for this complex condition. Our Multiple Sclerosis Clinic offers personalized care, including advanced diagnostic testing, leading treatments and complete follow-up care for children of all ages.

What are multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases?

The immune system typically protects the body from infections and diseases by attacking the foreign substances that cause them. Autoimmune disorders happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. With multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, the immune system targets the brain, spinal cord and optic (eye) nerves.

Demyelinating diseases are autoimmune disorders that damage myelin, the protective covering that surrounds nerves and nerve tissue. Demyelinating diseases affect nerves in various parts of the body, and they include:

  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: Brief but intense inflammation (swelling) in the brain and spinal cord
  • Multiple sclerosis: A group of diseases that damage myelin in nerves throughout the body
  • Neuromyelitis optica: Inflammation in optic nerves and the spinal cord
  • Optic neuritis: Inflammation in optic nerves
  • Transverse myelitis: Inflammation on both sides of a section of the spinal cord

 

Experienced team for specialized multiple sclerosis care

At the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, our doctors, nurses and other providers diagnose and treat children who have neurological disorders caused by demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Affiliated with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the clinic provides ongoing, specialized care to relieve symptoms and help your child maintain the best possible health.

Our clinic includes highly trained specialists who provide perspective and insight into all aspects of these diseases. Team members include a pediatric neurologist, geneticist, neuroradiologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, social worker, neuropsychologist, psychologists, a pediatric nurse specializing in multiple sclerosis and trained volunteers. An adult neurologist helps adolescents transition to adult care.

Our clinic is supported by The Blue Bird Circle, a unique organization of women volunteers created in 1923 to promote the well-being of humanity through the betterment of the community. The Circle provides more than $1,000,000 and 100,000 volunteer hours each year in support to Texas Children’s programs.